Autumn Show - looking forward

Enjoying a day at the 2012 Malvern Autumn Show

Can you have a love affair with a place, or days in time? A longing to re-visit, because of the inspiration you know is there, waiting for you to discover it? It is like this for me whenever I am heading towards the Malvern Hills and the Three Counties Showground; and today, I am there again in spirit, for I begin previewing this year’s Malvern Autumn Show in earnest, with weekly posts between now and the actual Show (28th-29th September, 2013).

Tea in a vintage caravan

If you have only just discovered Ann’s Malvern Jotter, let me explain: it provides a series of posts to help you enjoy your visit to a specific Show, so you will know in outline what to expect, leaving you more time when you arrive at the Showground to enjoy your visit. There’s always so much to do and see that a ‘first-timer’ can find it all somewhat bewildering. It’s a bit like the first day at secondary school, it always helps to have someone metaphorically hold your hand; by the second year you know the ropes. (Apologies to readers who already follow the Blog, you will understand and know what I mean.)

Enticing display in the Good Life Pavilion (2012)

Every Show at Malvern provides old favourites and many new aspects and themes, and this year’s Autumn Show is no exception. With the focus on Grow Your Own and a healthy, sustainable lifestyle, food and its provenance including cookery, there is very much a feeling of harvest in all its senses. New for this year is that the Cookery Theatre will be centre-stage in Avon Hall (south side of the Showground) and home of the ‘Festival of Food and Drink’.

Learning new skills: by the Fishing Lake (2011)

Apart from that, there’s an emphasis on education in the Discovery Zone, including - by the lake - fishing and pond-cam, pumpkin factory and mushrooms for the masses. There’s also a Plant Fair featuring nurseries who have never exhibited at Malvern before. 'Landscaping Live' continues to promote the benefits of quality landscaping for an average garden, whether this is through engaging the right professional or a DIY project. For 2013 it has been agreed to have one garden with parts of this being worked on during the show.  The Show organisers are delighted to be working on this project with Acorn’s Hospice to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Vintage farm machine still in working order (2012)

Other returning ‘regulars’ are the Midland Championships for the National Vegetable Society and the National Finals of the Young Farmers Tug of War Competition with teams from all over England (Saturday only), plus various activities in the Forestry section. Always enjoyed is The Orchard Pavilion, and 'edible' show gardens in the Good Life Pavilion. The programme this year in the Activity Arena includes a Dog Agility competition final on each day, and a daily parades of dogs, horses and other animals in the World of Animals area. Not to be ignored are other distinct features: the Harvest Pavilion, Forgotten Skills, Country Pursuits Marquee, Blacksmithing and Archery plus shopping opportunities galore, including a Plant Fair, Guild of Crafts from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, Countryside Shopping Pavilion and stands all around the Showground.

I'm discussing a fine crop of apples in the Orchard Pavilion (2012)

There is so much more to tell you about on my list including the many desirable activities and exhibits on the theme of Nostalgia. This post is just a taster; all in all the Malvern Autumn Show is an event with a great atmosphere and something for everyone. I’ll be back next week with the next Preview,  and meanwhile, please keep visiting the various links provided in this Blog - and remember to purchase tickets so you can enjoy all that is  on offer. 

All images in this post courtesy of Ray Quinton, 

and do take a look at my 
 'Pinterest' Showground image board.

Starting young ...

School children ready for a day at the Spring Gardening Show

Have you ever considered as you walk around the Showground, absorbing the beauty of the gardens and so many plant nursery delights, from whence stems all this inspiration? We all have to begin somewhere, and so very often, what we are introduced to in childhood becomes first an interest, and for some the passion of a lifetime. For me there were many triggers which began over 70 years ago walking with my grandmother in the Surrey woods. What I unknowingly absorbed then and later now fuels much that goes on in my eclectic garden and orchard, my writing, my travels, my creative journals; in fact these childhood beginnings have taken over my whole life.

Enthusiastic, bright-eyed children explain to me their participation at the 2012 Show

Why this preamble? I want to introduce you to the educational side of  Malvern and to the Society's commitment to working with children through all ages and stages of education - over the entire year. Marvellous work is undertaken on the Showground and in schools under the auspices of Education Officer, Sue Hodgson-Jones. 

The children just love talking to visitors about their garden

A culmination for many youngsters is their fantastic work at the Spring Gardening Show – gardens designed by school and college groups and created under much the same conditions as those you will see by adult and professional designers. The children’s enthusiasm is boundless; talk to them about what they create – they are knowledgeable and dedicated, as are their teachers and tutors; what they do goes far beyond curriculum specifications.

These pupils, with their classmates, based their whole exhibit 
on a storybook

This year the theme is truly inspiring – and even more educational than usual. Sixteen gardens are to be created by pupils from nursery age right through to college students. Their chosen theme will be based on 'Storytelling': book titles, or aspects thereof. The uninitiated may not realise the significance of this; a book has to be thoroughly understood before it can be interpreted in a creative, living format.

The style of school gardens often takes you by surprise - ingenious use of recycling in this one

No children? There was so much detail in this garden 
that we could only photograph it during their lunch break 
- and this is only a part of it

The ‘School Garden Project Challenge’ is a regular event at the Spring Gardening Show and all participating establishments are as keen as ever this year to be involved. Their remit this year is to “Design, plan and build you a 24sqm Show Garden.” 

Many schools also displayed additional work from school and even set up shop!

The project is extremely rewarding and offers pupils and students the chance to learn a wide range of skills (planning, gardening, communication and team work). It also encompasses many National Curriculum subjects; and many schools display some of their classwork at the Show.

In safe hands: BAM Construct supply help and support
(see green display board in the background)

Support is offered throughout the whole process, and particularly from Show Sponsors BAM Construct who are available throughout the show garden build-up, which for schools begins on 18th April, just three weeks before the opening day of the Show.

Always popular is the 'Discovery Zone' with plenty of hands-on activities

Apart from the youngsters’ show gardens, there is educational fun for all the family within the adjacent ‘Discovery Zone’ marquee. Take a look here at some of the activities on offer.

Notebook at the ready - and a fund of knowledge to impart to visitors

I was pleased to have the opportunity at a previous Show to talk
to Chris Beardshaw about his views on the importance of
educational participation at these shows.

The Education Section is situated between Rows 5 and 7, next to the main Show Gardens. With the Spring Gardens Coffee Court alongside, there’s no excuse for neglecting the work of pupils and students! So please find time to visit this important and pleasurable aspect of the Show; your support will encourage the children and help them to discover just how passionate we ALL are about gardens and gardening. Or we would not be at Malvern, would we?

For more details on Three Counties Educational Activities, please visit the website.

WHY NOT ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE PAGES, TOO?  (Just click on the links):
Love our Shows, Like our Facebook Page - Facebook.com/threecounties
Malvern Autumn Show

AND PLEASE KEEP VISITING Ann's Malvern Jotter: I’ll be blogging again every week during the Show build-up, and daily 'live' during the actual Show. I also recommend regular clicks onto the Spring Gardening Show website for regular updates and more breaking news.